CountyScore

Motley County

Texas · TX

#8 in Texas
73.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Motley County, Texas

Motley ranks among top counties nationally

Motley County's composite score of 73.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 35% of U.S. counties. This strong ranking reflects exceptional performance across cost and tax dimensions, making it a standout value destination.

Well above Texas state average

Motley ranks meaningfully above Texas's state average composite score of 66.8, positioning it among the state's best-performing counties. This performance places it in genuine contention for top livability value across Texas's 254 counties.

Lowest rents and strongest cost profile

Motley delivers exceptional value with a cost score of 87.4—the highest in this cohort—featuring median gross rent of just $725 per month and home values at $81,100. Its tax score of 71.4 and effective rate of 1.097% further cement affordability advantages.

Income potential significantly limited

The income score of 24.4 reflects median household income of $62,857, constraining earning potential compared to growing regional centers. Critical data on schools, safety, health services, and environmental hazards remains unavailable, limiting complete livability assessment.

Ideal for rural, frugal-focused living

Motley suits retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal financial obligations—rent under $750 and homes under $85K. It's Texas's most cost-efficient county in this analysis, perfect for those prioritizing financial security over urban amenities.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax71.4Cost87.4SafetyComing SoonHealth66.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.4Risk96.9WaterComing Soon
🏛71.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡96.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Motley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Osceola County
Iowa
73.8
Median income: $69,138
Trego County
Kansas
73.8
Median income: $73,375
Caldwell County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $57,618
Clinton County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $42,168
Cumberland County
Kentucky
73.8
Median income: $39,662

Deep Dives

Motley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Motley County

via TaxByCounty

Motley has one of the nation's lowest rates

At 1.097%, Motley County's effective tax rate is 14% below the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the lowest quartile nationally. This rural Texas county offers some of the most affordable property taxation in America.

Well below Texas state average

Motley County's 1.097% rate sits 0.179 percentage points below Texas's 1.276% state average. Among all Texas counties, Motley ranks among the lowest-tax jurisdictions.

Motley leads the region in affordability

At 1.097%, Motley beats Morris (1.178%), Moore (1.526%), and Nolan (1.511%), with only Nacogdoches County (0.925%) taxing lower regionally. Motley offers the best property tax rates among most comparable West Texas counties.

Modest homes, minimal tax bills

With a median home value of just $81,100, Motley County residents pay roughly $890 in annual property taxes. This is among the lowest tax burdens in Texas, reflecting both low property values and a favorable tax rate.

Verify your assessment for potential savings

Even in Motley County's low-tax environment, homeowners should confirm their assessed value matches the market. A successful appeal could reduce your already-modest tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Motley County

via CostByCounty

Motley County leads affordability rankings

Motley County renters spend just 13.8% of income on housing—a full 4.3 percentage points below the Texas average and well below the national trend. This exceptional affordability rate, combined with a $62,857 median household income, creates one of Texas's most livable housing markets.

Texas's most affordable county choice

Motley County's 13.8% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in Texas, reflecting both modest rental costs and adequate household incomes. The median home value of $81,100 puts homeownership within reach for nearly all working families.

Motley stands out in affordability rankings

Motley County's $725 median rent is the cheapest in the region, undercutting even Morris County ($824), while its 13.8% rent-to-income ratio beats all neighbors by substantial margins. This combination reflects Motley's rural character and lower overall cost structure.

Motley's housing dominance explained

Renters dedicate just $725 monthly while homeowners pay $528—among the lowest absolute costs regionally—against a $62,857 median household income. Housing consumes under one-seventh of household budgets, freeing resources for education, healthcare, and other priorities.

Motley County for true housing freedom

If housing affordability is your primary relocation driver, Motley County offers unmatched value in the Texas landscape. With only 13.8% of income going to housing, residents gain financial flexibility rarely found in modern America—but research carefully whether your career prospects align with rural Texas opportunities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Motley County

via IncomeByCounty

Motley County Underperforms Nationally

Motley County's median household income of $62,857 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $11,900—a 16% gap. Despite this shortfall, the county's income aligns with other rural Texas communities facing national wage competition.

Slightly Below Texas Average

At $62,857, Motley County's median household income falls just slightly below the Texas state average of $64,737. The county's per capita income of $29,882 also comes in below the state average of $33,197, indicating earnings concentrated in fewer household workers.

Motley Ranks Near Top Locally

Motley County earns more than Morris ($55,082), Nacogdoches ($51,528), Navarro ($59,310), and Newton ($41,044) counties. The county's $62,857 income compares favorably to most peer rural communities, though it trails Montgomery's exceptional $97,266.

Best Housing Affordability in Region

Motley County boasts an impressive 13.8% rent-to-income ratio—the lowest among its peer counties—keeping housing costs minimal. With median home values of only $81,100, Motley County offers exceptional housing affordability despite modest incomes.

Leverage Motley's Affordability Advantage

Motley County's lowest housing costs create the strongest savings potential in its peer group. Use your housing cost savings to build emergency reserves, contribute to retirement accounts, and invest in education or skills that boost long-term earning power.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Motley County

via HealthByCounty

Health status limited data available

While life expectancy data for Motley County is not currently available, 18.7% of residents report poor or fair health, near the national average of 18%. This suggests the county's health outcomes may be closer to national norms than some Texas peers.

Health rate near state comparison points

Motley County's poor/fair health rate of 18.7% is better than most counties in this group and closer to healthier peers. The county's uninsured rate of 16.5% is notably better than Texas's state average of 19.8%.

Relatively strong health outcomes nearby

Motley County's 16.5% uninsured rate is below that of Montague County (20.9%) and Moore County (26.1%), suggesting better insurance coverage. The county's poor/fair health rate trails larger, better-resourced counties, but beats some regional peers.

Limited provider data, strong uninsured picture

Provider counts for Motley County are not currently available, which suggests limited healthcare infrastructure for this rural county. However, the relatively low uninsured rate of 16.5% means most residents do have insurance coverage.

Keep your coverage active and updated

Since most Motley County residents maintain health insurance, focus on ensuring your coverage meets your needs. Visit healthcare.gov or your insurer's website annually to verify you still have the right plan and understand what care is available locally.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Motley County

via RiskByCounty

Motley: Lowest Risk in Texas Sample

Motley County scores just 3.18 on the national composite risk scale, earning a "Very Low" rating and representing one of America's safest counties for natural disasters. This remote Panhandle county sits dramatically below Texas's state average of 49.00 and the national norm.

Texas's Lowest-Risk County by Far

Motley ranks as the lowest-risk county in this Texas sample by a substantial margin, with minimal exposure across nearly all hazard categories. The county's sparse population, semi-arid climate, and distance from major weather corridors create exceptional disaster safety.

Far Safer Than Regional Peers

Motley's score of 3.18 stands dramatically lower than any neighboring Panhandle county, including Moore (61.90) and Montague (54.87). The county's geographic isolation and low population density contribute to its unique low-risk profile in the region.

Wildfire Only Significant Hazard

Motley County faces wildfire risk at 80.31, its only substantial natural disaster threat, while tornado risk (14.85) and all other hazards remain minimal. Flood risk is negligible at 1.56, hurricane risk at 9.76, and earthquake risk at 4.42.

Basic Coverage Sufficient for Motley

Motley residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with wildfire coverage as a precaution during dry seasons, though overall disaster risk remains exceptionally low. Focus on landscape management—clearing brush and dead trees—as your primary disaster preparation strategy.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.